SAARC Summit boycott will ring positive result: Afghanistan

Afghanistan today expressed hope that the non-cooperating member nations of the SAARC will ‘learn’ from the decision of five countries to pull out of the Summit.

Without taking name of Pakistan, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to India Shaida Mohammad Abdali said that the cancelation of this year’s SAARC Sumit in Islamabad will ‘bring positive results’ and force it to walk on the path of peace and partnership.

“Afghanistan and India are at the forefront of supporting SAARC. The recent decision to boycott SAARC summit in Islamabad by India, Afghanistan and others is aimed at finding better ways to improve SAARC,” Abdali said.

India and four other SAARC members - Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka - pulled out of the November summit, indirectly blaming Pakistan for creating an environment not conducive for successful holding of the meet. The development took place in the aftermath of the Uri terrorist attack on September 18.

Abdali was speaking at an interactive meeting organised by industry bodies FICCI and FTAPCCI here.

“SAARC should act in a manner it has been desired and aimed at. SAARC means connectivity, SAARC means business, SAARC means peace and stability. But if we see things happening contrary to that, then we must take steps to ensure those who are creating trouble change their course and be cooperative," the Afghan envoy said.

“We hope the decision not to participate (in the Islamabad summit) will give us a positive result. The positive result would be that those who do not cooperate in the same manner as other SAARC member countries will also start following our path. The path of peace and cooperation. The path which brings 'win-win' situation for all. We hope that decision will bring about better results... better future of this region," Abdali said.

He described relationship between India and Afghanistan as "very unique".

"No other country can or countries can compete with our true relationship. It's very unique and it's very deep. It is based on cordial and friendly ties," he said.